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BCCI scraps Impact Player rule in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Reports

Written by News One


The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly scrapped the Impact Player rule from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20 tournament. The two-bouncer rule, however, has been retained by the cricket board.

The latest edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament will get underway on November 23 and will be played till December 15. The Impact Player rule was introduced in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on an experimental basis during the 2022-23 season and was subsequently added to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well.

Regarding the scrapping of the Impact Player rule from SMAT, Cricbuzz quoted a BCCI communication, which stated:

“Kindly note that the BCCI has decided to do away with the provision of ‘Impact Player’ for the ongoing season.”

Interestingly, the BCCI recently confirmed that the Impact Player regulation would be part of IPL for the 2025-2027 period. While announcing the updated player regulations for the T20 league, the BCCI released an official statement and said that ‘the Impact Player Regulation will continue for the 2025 to 2027 cycle’.

While the BCCI has decided to do away with the Impact Player rule in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the two-bouncer rule will continue. The clause was introduced in the T20 competition last season and subsequently in the IPL too. The playing conditions for the same states that ‘a bowler shall be limited to two fast short-pitched deliveries per over’.

Incidentally, the two-bouncer rule is unique to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. As per the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, only one bouncer per over is allowed.

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal recently backed the Impact Player rule

While there has been plenty of debate over the use of the Impact Player rule in the IPL, league chairman Arun Dhumal has backed the regulation. In an interview last month, he dismissed suggestions that the rule is proving detrimental for all-rounders. Speaking to The Indian Express, he opined:

“Impact players have added value to the tournament. If you see the last season, the scores we had were phenomenal compared to the previous season. The idea is to give a platform to an additional batter or a bowler, so that they can perform with their skillset.

“One argument was the all-rounders are missing out. But if you look at it closely, all the top class all-rounders were never left out. Be it Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) or (Sunil) Narine, be it anyone. If an all-rounder wants to find a place, he has to raise the bar as an all-rounder,” Dhumal added.

Meanwhile, a mega auction is all set to be held ahead of IPL 2025. As per modified rules, each franchise can retain six players, with a maximum of five capped players and a maximum of two uncapped players.